Russian invasion

The fighting
Russia: Controls the entire Luhansk region

Russia says it has taken full control of the Ukrainian region of Luhansk, reports AP.

– The territory of Luhansk is completely liberated – 100 percent, says the Kremlin-appointed governor of the occupation regime, Leonid Pasechnik.

It is one of four regions that were attacked when the full-scale invasion began in 2022. The information is still unconfirmed, but if it turns out to be true, Luhansk will be the first Ukrainian region to fall under complete Russian control, writes TT.

Vladimir Putin has previously said that the region should be incorporated into Russia, reports Reuters.

World response
Putin and Macron in first conversation since 2022

French President Emmanuel Macron has held his first phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This was stated by both the Kremlin and the Élysée Palace on Tuesday, according to news agencies.

Macron is said to have pressured Putin to agree to negotiate a ceasefire "as soon as possible" and to begin negotiations to end the war.

The two presidents are also said to have talked about Iran's nuclear program.